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[Driller]

I've been trying to find a killer deal on the Minn Kota trolling motor with the maximizer technology.  Last year I saw one of the older models on sale at Canadian tire with the maximizer.  I don't remember the thrust, but it was about 250 bucks.  Over 100 dollars off.  I hesitated, went in to buy it a few days later and it was gone.  I bought an endura, but I don't like the clicks.  Even on speed one, it's way too fast for trolling a fly.
COstco has a 50lb thrust on for 370 bucks.  Anyone seen any of the older Minn Kota maximizers on sale anywhere?

[noxcape]

there are a couple on craigslist

[bbronswyk2000]

They went on sale before because their is a new model called the Traxus which replaced the Maxuum. It still has the maximizer technology just some added differences. Canadian Tire will put their electrics on sale from time to time but I doubt they will at this time with everyone itching to get out with the ice coming off.

Like Noxcape said best to try Craigslist for one but if their is a deal better scoop it up as at this time of year everything related to stillwater fishing gets scooped up FAST!!!!

[HOOK]

I just recently bought a 30lb Endura and i dont notice any clicks. and on the lowest speed it is slower then a can wind drift(usually) so its definetely plenty slow enough for trolling .... which i dont do anyways  LOL

you could always take a look at Army & Navy or Wholesale Sports (when it opens that is)

[bbronswyk2000]

I just recently bought a 30lb Endura and i dont notice any clicks. and on the lowest speed it is slower then a can wind drift(usually) so its definetely plenty slow enough for trolling .... which i dont do anyways  LOL

you could always take a look at Army & Navy or Wholesale Sports (when it opens that is)

The Endura is not slow enough to troll. Thats why they came out with the Maximizer technology. Why do you think so many people dump them after they get serious into fishing? Also the Maxuum uses about half the battery power than the Endura. IMO save your money for the Maxuum models rather than just buy the cheaper model. The times when you are out in the bush with no power to recharge your batteries you will be glad you had the Maxuum.

[HOOK]

and this is why i have a battery charger  and i only use the motor to get to my spot or do some scouting for shoals. It really doesnt get used that much but saves my lazy a** from rowing everywhere and being tired.

It also helps that i tend to fish smaller more intimate lakes so i never have far to go either 

[bbronswyk2000]

and this is why i have a battery charger  and i only use the motor to get to my spot or do some scouting for shoals. It really doesnt get used that much but saves my lazy a** from rowing everywhere and being tired.

It also helps that i tend to fish smaller more intimate lakes so i never have far to go either 

I am not a troller either. I go from point A to point B and anchor. The only time I troll is when on a new lake learning its structure and depth or to locate fish. I like the smaller lakes as well but I am a bit paranoid. A battery charger does you no good in the bush. Rowing the Spratley is not much fun. Besides I workout 6-7 days a week so when I go away I dont want to be working out LOL

[HOOK]

A solar powered charger does  I am not in possesion of it yet however because i havent found the right one but you can hook them up and it will charge when the battery is not in use 

Oh and i will have a proper charger on weekend trips because i have a generator i borrow, that is until i get this other one.

[bbronswyk2000]

A solar powered charger does  I am not in possesion of it yet however because i havent found the right one but you can hook them up and it will charge when the battery is not in use 

Oh and i will have a proper charger on weekend trips because i have a generator i borrow, that is until i get this other one.

Generator is the way to go. It has multi purposes.

[typhoon]

The Endura is not slow enough to troll. Thats why they came out with the Maximizer technology. Why do you think so many people dump them after they get serious into fishing? Also the Maxuum uses about half the battery power than the Endura. IMO save your money for the Maxuum models rather than just buy the cheaper model. The times when you are out in the bush with no power to recharge your batteries you will be glad you had the Maxuum.

I quite successfully use an Endura 40 to troll. I don't troll often but many of my largest fish came while trolling.
I prefer to have the motor off a significant percentage of the time, and switch from 0 to 1 or 0 to 2 and back to 0 to simulate the rowing action that works so well. Based on wind speed I can very effectively set my boat speed by varying the pulse durations in the on and off positions.
If there is no wind (ya right) I will kick the motor for 5 seconds every 20-30 seconds.

I actually found it annoying using my dad's Maxuum motor 3 weeks ago because I had no positive stop for my "on" position.

[milo]

If you want to dump your Endura only for trolling purposes, I suggest you keep it and start trolling with your oars. You can break, you can impart the boat ( and thus the fly) all sorts of movement, you can even keep your boat against the wind in the same spot for a while if necessary...the advantages are numerous.
Plus, it keeps your hands busy so you don't snack, smoke or drink so much (an added bonus). 

I used to troll a lot with my Maxxum and only after reading some serious articles written by people who have forgotten more about fishing than what I have learned so far, I came around and started trolling by rowing. My catch ratio has more than doubled since.

An electric motor is great to get from spot A to spot B in a hurry without tiring yourself by rowing. But for trolling nothing beats the oars.

[typhoon]

Definitely nothing more effective than oars for hooking fish while trolling. I only ever rowed until a few years ago.
When I started fishing barbless flies I found that my landing percentage dropped to under 10% because I couldn't get a good hookset with no hands on my rod.
Now I use the electric and can hold my rod (still no free hands) and my landing percentage is back over 90%.
This is the same reason I only ever fish one rod, even when chironomiding.

[milo]

I hear you, Typhoon.
But there is a way around it, if you place the rod holders inches from your oar handles.
I can release the oar(s) and set the hook on the take in about one second. (as long as I am watching the rods like a hawk and not daydreaming). 

[doja]

I let the rod sit against my leg while trolling as to "feel" the hit, although I fish from a kayak so it might be a bit easier for me to do so. I never miss a strike.... just the odd hook sets.  



In the mean time before you find a suitable motor you could also try trolling with the electric into the wind as to slow the fly down and then turn it off and drift/oar with the wind back to the turn around point.

Or

You could also drop an anchor to slow you down some

[Driller]

Nice input from everyone.  I like the idea of rowing, however sometimes I am just wanting to eat a sandwich, or drink a beer, or do nothing except relax.  This is when the maximizer would work well.  I often zig zag when trolling which moves the fly up and down.  Another benefit to having a motor which crawls along at insect speed is that you could troll a single line behind the boat while casting your second rod.  Bottom line I guess is everyone fishes differently.  If you don't often troll, you don't need a motor.  If you don't have a lot of money like me, maybe a maximizer isn't worth the huge chunk of change.